Beautiful Native American Merchandise Online

By Daphne Bowen


The New World was occupied by many great nations made up of several individual tribes prior to the Europeans colonizing it. Each one had its own culture, belief system and unique style of craftsmanship and artistry. Modern descendants from these mighty people strive to carry on the treasured traditions of quality crafting, enabling the masses to buy authentic Native American merchandise online easily.

On designated lands known as reservations, several of the tribes still live and operate as completely independent nations, following their own laws, religions and ways. Modern day artisans residing in and around those borders have dedicated their lives to keeping the practices of their ancestral craftsmen active. They utilize trade secrets and skills that have been passed down through the generations.

The sun, moon, stars, animals, nature and religion are some of things with which the tribesmen have long felt a spiritual connection and as such, they are commonly represented in their art. The traditional use of only organic materials in their creations seems to give each hand crafted piece a special ambiance. Beads, feathers, quills, wood, sand, stone, shells, gems, clay, silver, bone, leather and wool are just a sampling of the natural supplies often utilized.

Companies that sell reproduction items that look like the tribal pieces, produce them in bulk. Made on assembly lines or by machines, the products are fabricated using mostly synthetics like plastic, acrylic and nylon. Anything that claims to be authentic will be crafted by hand in the traditional styles, most likely using natural materials.

Dream catchers, silver and turquoise jewelry, beaded bracelets and purses, mini totem poles, drums and moccasins are all popular items on souvenir based sites. Most people instantly associate these items with the tribes of old. These web based shops also tend to feature other best selling novelties like trinkets, paintings, posters, key chains and books.

Those sites that focus on authenticity generally have a more elite inventory. They may feature specialized and treasured items like the fantastically mesmerizing Hopi kachina dolls or the intricate carvings done in whale bone and soapstone by the Yupik and Innuit people. The fine wool rugs that the Navajo weave by hand on looms are of incredible quality and each one is different from all the others.

With hundreds of tribes across the country, there are many artistic styles of woven baskets, clay pottery, masks, beaded goods, dolls and musical instruments. Every piece is a hand crafted treasure. One might even be able to locate creations made in the highly specialized art of using porcupine quills as decoration, which was the standard practice in the time before beads were discovered.

Websites that primarily feature authentic items may offer specialized products that are harder to find on general markets. This might include pieces such as headdresses done in the many styles worn by both warriors and chieftains within all of the different tribes. Collectors of fine handiwork could also seek out treasured crafts like medicine wheels, hoop masks, baleen baskets, fetish carvings, or very detailed sand paintings.




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